Discover Rich Heritage Along the World’s Greatest Rivers

From the ancient waterways of the Nile to the romantic rivers of Europe, experience civilisation’s birthplace through intimate river cruising. Sail through history, culture, and breathtaking scenery on the world’s most storied waterways.

Sail Away on River Cruises

The earliest civilisations developed next to rivers, from Mesopotamia on the Tigris to Ancient Egypt on the Nile. Today’s major cities—New York, London, Paris, Cairo, Berlin—all grew up around rivers for good reason. Now you can explore these historic waterways from exquisitely appointed riverboats, with comfortable accommodations, delectable dining, and extraordinary cultural immersion.

Intimate Experience

No huge crowds and a relaxed pace. River ships typically host 100-200 guests, creating an atmosphere where you’ll know your fellow travellers by name.

Heart of the City

Disembark in the centres of cities without hours spent in minivans and buses. Walk straight from your ship into the heart of historic destinations.

All-Inclusive Value

Nearly all-inclusive or truly all-inclusive experiences, including excursions, guides, dining, and beverages. Unpack once and explore endlessly.

Explore River Cruise Regions

Our river cruise advisors can help you cruise on these extraordinary rivers! From Europe’s romantic waterways to the exotic rivers of Asia and Africa, each region offers its own unique character and appeal.

European Rivers

Key Rivers: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Moselle, Main, Douro, Volga

Known For: Medieval castles, vineyards, historic cities, Christmas markets, art and architecture

Ideal For: First-time river cruisers, history buffs, wine lovers

Duration: 7-15 nights

The Americas

Key Rivers: Mississippi, Columbia, Snake, Amazon, Colorado

Known For: American history, jazz heritage, wildlife, rainforest biodiversity, paddlewheelers

Ideal For: Nature lovers, history enthusiasts, adventure seekers

Duration: 5-14 nights

Africa & Asia

Key Rivers: Nile (Egypt), Mekong (Vietnam/Cambodia), Yangtze (China), Ganges (India)

Known For: Ancient temples, pyramids, exotic cultures, floating markets, wildlife

Ideal For: Adventurous travellers, cultural explorers

Duration: 7-21 nights

Compare River Cruise Regions

Feature European Rivers The Americas Africa & Asia
Typical Duration 7-15 nights 5-14 nights 7-21 nights
Best Season April-October (Christmas Nov-Dec) Year-round (varies) Sept-April (Nile), Sept-Mar (Mekong)
Best For History, wine, culture American heritage, nature Ancient civilisations, exotic cultures
Highlights Castles, vineyards, Christmas markets Jazz, antebellum homes, rainforests Pyramids, temples, floating markets

The river cruise experience is truly extraordinary.

You’ll do all of it from exquisitely appointed riverboats with comfortable and spacious accommodations. The dining onboard is casual yet delectable, and the service is top-notch without being stuffy.

River cruising is about the destinations. The riverboat mainly provides a bit of luxurious respite between your extraordinary adventures in some of the most sought-after places on the planet.

Popular River Cruise Itineraries

Whatever your thing, a river cruise is quite possibly the extraordinary adventure you’ve been looking for!

  • Viking “Christmas Delights” – Magical holiday markets along the Rhine and Danube
  • AmaWaterways “Colours of Provence” – French wine country along the Rhône
  • Avalon “Egypt’s Mysterious Nile” – Ancient temples and pyramids
  • Uniworld “Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong” – Exotic Southeast Asia adventure

Find your specialty cruise today!

We’ll help find the perfect specialty cruise—whether you’re crossing oceans, transiting canals, or exploring the ends of the Earth.

Our specialty cruise advisors will ensure your voyage is everything you dreamed.

Rarely will any of us make it to these extraordinary places more than once. So, if you’re going to do it at all, you should do it right. Let the experts at Extraordinary Adventures ensure that your voyage to these remote destinations is everything you dreamed it would be.

They don’t call us Extraordinary Adventures for nothing, you know.

River Cruise Lines

Your options for river cruise lines are nearly as limitless. The most recognised names in river cruising offer their guests a nearly all-inclusive or truly all-inclusive experience.

AmaWaterways – Award-winning cruises with exceptional cuisine and wellness programmes.

Viking River Cruises – Elegant Scandinavian design with destination-focused itineraries.

Uniworld Boutique – Truly all-inclusive luxury with individually designed ships.

Avalon Waterways – Innovative Suite Ships with panoramic windows and open-air balconies.

American Cruise Lines – USA-focused itineraries on the Mississippi and beyond.

Scenic Luxury Cruises – Ultra-luxury all-inclusive with private butler service.

Why Book with Cruise Help

Expert Advisors

Specialty cruise specialists who understand the unique requirements of expedition and world voyages.

Exclusive Perks

Access to special deals, onboard credits, and amenities not available when booking direct.

Personalised Planning

Custom recommendations for ships, itineraries, and cabin selection on complex voyages.

Full Support

Assistance from booking through disembarkation and beyond—we’re with you every step.

River Cruise FAQs

River cruises offer a more intimate experience with smaller ships (typically 100-200 guests versus 2,000-6,000 on ocean ships). You’ll dock in the heart of cities rather than at large ports, enjoy an almost all-inclusive experience with excursions and beverages often included, and sail through scenic landscapes with ever-changing views. The pace is more relaxed, and the cultural immersion is deeper.

Most river cruises are nearly all-inclusive or truly all-inclusive. Typically included are accommodations, all meals, wine and beer with dinner (often all beverages on luxury lines), daily excursions and activities, onboard entertainment, port charges, and gratuities. Some lines also include Wi-Fi, airport transfers, and specialty dining. Your river cruise advisor can help compare inclusions across different cruise lines.

The best time varies by region. European river cruises are popular from April through October, with Christmas market cruises in November and December being especially magical. The Nile is best from September through April when temperatures are cooler. Mekong cruises in Southeast Asia are ideal from September through March.

Absolutely! River cruises are often ideal for first-time cruisers because there’s no risk of seasickness on calm rivers, the intimate ship size is less overwhelming, the all-inclusive nature simplifies budgeting, and the dock-in-the-heart-of-cities convenience eliminates complicated logistics. Many travellers who thought they’d never enjoy cruising have fallen in love with river cruising.

We recommend booking 9-12 months in advance for popular sailings, especially Christmas market cruises, tulip season in the Netherlands, and peak summer departures. This ensures the best cabin selection and often early booking discounts. However, last-minute deals can sometimes be found 60-90 days before departure.

Pack comfortable walking shoes for excursions, layers for varying weather, and smart casual attire for dinners. Most river cruises are dressy casual with no formal nights required. Bring a light jacket even in summer for air-conditioned spaces and cool evenings on deck. Don’t forget a daypack for excursions, sunscreen, and any medications you need.

Yes, a valid passport is required for international river cruises. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Some itineraries, particularly those visiting Russia or certain Asian countries, may require visas. For U.S. domestic river cruises (like the Mississippi), a government-issued ID is sufficient, though a passport is still recommended.

The best river cruise line depends on your priorities. Viking excels at cultural enrichment, AmaWaterways is known for active excursions and culinary excellence, Uniworld offers ultra-luxury with all-inclusive service, Avalon features innovative Suite Ships with panoramic views, and American Cruise Lines specialises in U.S. destinations. Our river cruise advisors can match you with the perfect line based on your travel style and budget.

Not sure which specialty cruise is right for you?

Take our short quiz to discover the perfect specialty cruise for your travel style and bucket list.